ďAnd Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.Ē

Just about all of us desire something in life. For some, it may be prosperity and other perhaps companionship. I chose this passage about Lot as an example of how the things that appear to be a good thing may in fact be the worst thing we can choose.

Everything that looks good to you isnít good for you. Most of us have heard that expression but some of us tend not to apply it when it matters.

In this passage we see the error that Lot made.
Lot chose with his eyes. He looked over the land and he decided to grab what he thought was the better land because. Perhaps he wanted to have something better than what Abraham had or maybe he believed the choice would add more substance to him. You see Lot had lived in the shadow of his uncle for some time now and this was his opportunity to get one up him. Both men were wealthy but sometimes we can be so consumed with keeping up with or outdoing others that we make hasty decisions that cost us a high price. The choice to pitch his tent towards Sodom would ultimately cost Lot instead to adding to him and the effects of his choice would echo throughout his family. Yet at the time the choice Lot made seemed like a good idea!

We all must be careful not to allow ambition or fleshly desire to cloud our ability to hear from and follow the Lord. If we seek the Lord at times of decision He will give insight concerning the situation.

ďTrust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evi (Prov. 3:5-7).Ē

When is a good time to seek the will of the Lord? All of the time.

You may be a single person that has watched family members and friends get married. You may have played every part in a wedding except the groom or bride but this should not force you into making a hasty decision when it comes getting down the aisle. Just because someone looks good doesnít mean they are. Every person that smiles and shows up at a church service on a Sunday isnít marriage material.

You may have a job that you donít necessarily like and youíve watched others leave you behind at a company and brag about the money they are now making. Well, while the Lord is more than able to bless you and give you a better job, you need to know when the new job is something that is in His will. If the new job interferes with your relationship with the Lord you may need to rethink things. Sure you may get more money but you may not be able to attend church or you may be too exhausted to pray or study Godís word.

You may want to have a substantial increase in your finances and thatís fine, but you need to be mindful not to allow the money to replace the faith you should have in Jesus. You see, sometimes when we get enough money we tend to leave God behind. If itís a blessing it will draw you closer to the Lord not drive you away.

I have learned to strive to be sensitive to what the Spirit is saying concerning my life and my decisions. This means if it takes turning down something that looks or sounds like itís a great opportunity, I will, just to preserve the relationship I have in Christ Jesus. It may even appear that the thing I face will bring me closer to where I know the Lord has told me I would be, but as important as the destination is the path. Getting there isnít all to it. Iíve got to get there the way God has designed me to get there. If it takes me a little longer, or if I have to work a little harder, itís alright because I know when I get there, Iíll be there on time-Godís time. My prayers have changed from just a laundry list of wants and needs but I am mindful to say, ďLord, never let my desire cause me to ignore your will.Ē

Our place of blessing, growth and safety is in the will of God. Everything outside of Godís will is nothing more than chance and may lead to destruction. We must know that there is an enemy to our soul and his desire is to deceive us and sever the relationship we have with the Lord. He knows our desire and will try to bring delusions to those who are in Christ. Lotís choice caused him to offer his daughter to be defiled, loose his wife, suffer captivity, and become involved in incest.

When Jesus was tempted Satan used things that most men would love to obtain. He offered to make Jesus powerful and wealthy and he tried to tempt God by asking Jesus to prove he was the Son of God (see Matthew chapter 4) covering sin; the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and the pride of life
(See 1 John 2:16). But the Lord knew the will of the Father and thatís where He stayed. The path was certainly more painful but the end result was much greater.